Fast and Efficient Atmospheric NO2 Collection for Isotopic Analysis by a 3D-Printed Denuder System.

Being major species of atmospheric reactive nitrogen, nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) have important implications for ozone and OH radical formation in addition to nitrogen cycles. Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) of NOx have been sought to track NOx emissions and NOx chemical reactivities in the atmosphere. The current atmospheric NOx collection methods for isotopic analysis, however, largely suffer from unverified collection efficiency and/or low collection speed (<10 L/min). The latter makes it difficult to study δ15N(NOx) in pristine regions with low NOx concentrations. Here, we present a three-dimensional (3D)-printed honeycomb denuder (3DP-HCD) system, which can effectively collect atmospheric NO2 (a major part of NOx) under a variety of laboratory and field conditions. With a coating solution consisting of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and 25% guaiacol in methanol, the denuder system can collect NO2 with nearly 100% efficiency at flow rates of up to 70 L/min, which is 7 times higher than that of the existing method and allows high-resolution (e.g., diurnal or finer resolution) NO2 collection even in pristine sites. Besides, the δ15N of NO2 collected by the 3DP-HCD system shows good reproducibility and consistency with the previously tested method. Preliminary results of online NO oxidation by a chrome trioxide (CrO3) oxidizer for simultaneous NO and NO2 collection are also presented and discussed.

SIRT1-autophagy axis inhibits excess iron-induced ferroptosis of foam cells and subsequently increases IL-1Β and IL-18.

OBJECTIVE: Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death characterized by an iron-dependent increase in lipid ROS. It has recently been reported that elevated iron levels in macrophages in plaques are associated with atherosclerosis(AS). However, it is not clear whether iron induces ferroptosis and the mechanism of ferroptosis induced by iron in macrophages in plaque. METHODS: THP-1 macrophages were treated with ox-LDL and ferric ammonium citrate(FAC). Activate SIRT1 using SRT1720. Use of RAPA and CQ to promote and suppress autophagy. The expression of SIRT1, GPX4 was detected by Western Blot, and the cell activity and lipid ROS level were also performed. IL-1ß and IL-18 levels were measured using qRT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: In this study, we determined that FAC can induce a decrease in foam cell activity rather than macrophage activity, increase lipid ROS levels, decrease GPX4 expression and inhibit SIRT1 expression, and increase IL-1ß and IL-18 levels. SRT1720 activated SIRT1 and reversed the above changes induced by FAC. CQ partially prevents the above changes caused by activating SIRT1. CONCLUSION: Activation of SIRT1 can inhibit the ferroptosis and IL-1ß and IL-18 levels of foam cells in excess iron by autophagy, providing a novel therapeutic target for AS.

Aquaporin 1 alleviates acute kidney injury via PI3K-mediated macrophage M2 polarization.

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an abnormal immune response. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aquaporin 1 (AQP1) prevents kidney tissue injury in LPS-induced AKI by mediating immune response. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Macrophages as immune cells with multiple phenotypes are important mediators in tissue homeostasis and host defense. We propose that macrophage polarization is implicated in AQP1-mediated immune response. METHODS: Herein we established sepsis-induced AKI model rats through intraperitoneal injection of LPS into Wistar rats to reveal immune mechanism of damage. We also used LPS-induced mouse RAW264.7 cells to elucidate the molecular mechanism of macropage polarization. RESULTS: Histopathology showed that renal tubular epithelial cells in the model group were swollen, inflammatory exudation was obvious and the inflammatory factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were increased. Western blotting showed PI3K was upregulated in the model group. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen increased after LPS injection. Renal AQP1 mRNA is downregulated and serum AQP1 protein increased first and then decreased in LPS-induced AKI rats. M2 macrophage markers (Arg-1, CD206) were increased in repair stage. In addition, treatment of murine macrophages (RAW264.7) with AQP1 siRNA resulted in decreased PI3K activation and M2 polarization, but increased IL-6 and TNF-α. Moreover, inhibiting PI3K with wortmannin imitated the results of AQP1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS: Macrophage M2 polarization is likely the cellular mechanism underlying the anti-AKI property of AQP1, and PI3K activation is involved in the AQP1-induced M2 phenotype switch.

Aquaporin-1 attenuates macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the role of AQP1 in the development of LPS-induced AKI and its potential regulatory mechanisms in the inflammatory responses of macrophages. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS, and biochemical and histological renal damage was assessed. The levels of inflammatory mediators, macrophage markers and AQP1 in blood and kidney tissues were assessed by ELISA. RTPCR was used to assess changes in the relative levels of AQP1 mRNA induced by LPS. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assay the activation of the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, respectively. The same detection methods were used in vitro to determine the regulatory mechanisms underlying AQP1 function. RESULTS: AQP1 mRNA levels were dramatically decreased in AKI rats following the increased expression of inflammatory factors. In vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing the AQP1 gene increased inflammatory mediator secretion, altered the classical activation of macrophages, greatly enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 and accelerated the translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, these results were blocked by doramapimod, a p38 inhibitor. Therefore, these effects were mediated by the increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that altered AQP1 expression may be associated with the development of inflammation in AKI. AQP1 plays a protective role in modulating acute renal injury and can attenuate macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by downregulating p38 MAPK activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The pharmacological targeting of AQP1-mediated p38 MAPK signalling may provide a novel treatment approach for AKI.

Establishment of Reference Intervals for Blood Cell Analysis of Adult Tibetan Farmers and Herdsmen Over 4100 Meters Above Sea Level in Tibet Based on a Health Survey.

Yang, Wei, Song Zhao, Dan Liu, Guangming Su, Dongwei Zhang, Gui La, Yu Deng, Pian Ni, and Xiuru Guan. Establishment of reference intervals for blood cell analysis of adult Tibetan farmers and herdsmen over 4100 meters above sea level in Tibet based on a health survey. High Alt Med Biol. 21:223-231, 2020. Background: High altitude has substantial influence on reference intervals (RIs) for blood cell analysis. However, the currently used RIs for blood cell analysis in China have not been investigated in people from high-altitude areas, which may potentially cause confusion regarding disease diagnosis and treatment of Tibetan farmers and herdsmen from high-altitude areas. Therefore, it is necessary to establish blood cell analysis RIs that are suitable for people in high-altitude areas. Methods: In total, 1145 healthy Tibetan farmers and herdsmen were recruited who have lived at an altitude from 4100 to 5280 m in Kangma, Tibet, for a long time. The C28-A3 guideline from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute was used to establish the RIs for hemoglobin (HGB) concentrations and red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT) counts from the blood results of Tibetan participants. Results: There were significant gender differences in blood cell RIs for Tibetan farmers and herdsmen who lived above 4100 m above sea level in Kangma, Tibet. Compared with currently used RIs in China, RIs for HGB concentrations and RBCs in Kangma were significantly higher, whereas WBCs were similar and PLT count was lower. Conclusions: The currently used RIs in China may not be applicable to adult Tibetan farmers and herdsmen above 4100 m in Tibet. The newly obtained RIs can supplement the currently used RIs.

[Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Tracing Sources by Pb & Sr Isotope in the Soil Profile of Woodland in Quanzhou].

The contents of 8 heavy metal elements (Sr, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) and the lead & strontium isotope composition of soil profile of woodland in Quanzhou city were analyzed by AAS and ICP-MS, respectively. A modified BCR four-step sequential extraction procedure was carried out to obtain the speciation fractionation of heavy metals in the soil profile from 4 stations. The results of the heavy metal elements and the speciation fractionation of heavy metals in the soil profile showed that the heavy metal pollution in the woodland in Quanzhou was relatively light, and the main pollution factor was Sr. The non-residue state of Pb was the highest, leading to the highest activity. The result of Nemero comprehensive pollution index showed that Sr in the depth of 0-60 cm was at heavy pollution level. The results of the RSP showed that the activity of Pb was the highest. The results of EF showed that Pb, Sr, Mn and Zn had exogenous sources. Factor analysis showed that the main sources of heavy metals were the compound pollution of agricultural activities, natural resources, and the vehicle exhaust. Composition of Pb isotopic ratios showed that, Pb in soil profile of woodland in Quanzhou was from vehicle exhaust and parent material. The contribution rates of the two sources in the soil profile were calculated by using the two-mixed model. The contribution rates of parent material and vehicle exhaust were 85.14%(62.53%-98.36%) and 14.86%(1.640%-37.47%) on average, respectively. Strontium isotope tracing results showed that the main sources of strontium were also vehicle exhaust and parent material. Coupling both Pb and Sr isotope ratios agreed with the above mentioned results.

[Tracing Sources of Heavy Metals in the Soil Profiles of Drylands by Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Lead Isotope].

Two profile soils in drylands of Xiamen City were collected and 26 kinds of heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS. The distribution characteristics, environmental risk and pollution sources of heavy metals in soil profiles were studied. The results of Nemero comprehensive pollution index method, the geological accumulation index method and potential ecological hazard index method indicated that Cd was the main pollution factor in the drylands of Xiamen City; the soil pollution was serious in 50-60 cm depth. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the main sources of heavy metals were the compound pollution of agricultural production activities and natural resources, and the main pollution factor Cd was from agricultural production. Composition of acid-extractable Pb isotopic ratios in soil profiles and potential pollution sources were analyzed. The results showed that Pb in soil profiles was from sludge and parent material. The contribution rates of the two sources in the soil profiles by 206Pb/207Pb-206Pb/204Pb were calculated by using the two mixed models. In the two profiles, parent material contribution rates were 54.36% and 42.88%, and sludge contribution rates were 45.64% and 57.12%, respectively. The main sources of lead of drylands in Xiamen were parent material and sludge, which was consistent with the results of the multivariate statistical analysis.

Stem cell-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration: current status and prospects.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness both in developed and developing countries. During the past decades, the managements of neovascular AMD (wet AMD) have dramatically progressed. However, still no effective treatment for non-neovascular AMD (dry AMD) which was characterized by geographic macular atrophy. Recent advances in stem cell sciences have demonstrated that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can be generated from several types of stem cells (including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, et al) by cell co-culturing or defined factors. Additionally, studies also showed that visual function could be recovered by transplantation of these cells into subretinal space in vivo. Moreover, the United States Food and Drug Administration already approved several clinical trials to evaluate the efficiencies of stem cell based cell transplantation for dry AMD patients. Till now, a few patients enrolled in these studies achieved promising outcomes. This review will summarize recent advances in stem cell based RPE differentiation, transplantation, and the preliminary results of clinical trials. The obstacles and prospects in this field will also be discussed.

[Effects of allelochemicals ethyl cinnamate on the growth and physiological characteristics of Chlorella pyrenoidosa].

The effects of ethyl cinnamate on the growth and physiological characteristics of Chlorella pyrenoidosa were studied. The allelopathic mechanisms were explored, from views of chlorophyll a content, antioxidant enzyme activities, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and photosynthetic activity. The results revealed that ethyl cinnamate had acute inhibitory effects on the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and the inhibited degree tended to increase with increased concentrations. The effective concentration causing a 50% inhibition at 96 h was 5.45 mg c L(-1). Ethyl cinnamate induced the decrease of chlorophyll a, the over-accumulation of ROS and the increase of MDA. Therefore, it suggested that ethyl cinnamate could lead to the damage of cell membrane system and metabolic disorder through inducing lipid peroxidation via initiating ROS overproduction. And for scavenging ROS, the algae cells were protected from oxidative damages through increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The results demonstrated ethyl cinnamate had acute inhibition to the maximum quantum yield and the potential activity of photosystem II of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, however, the photosynthetic activity could recover to some extent through self-regulation after some time.